Chidamber and Kemerer's metrics suite: a measurement theoryperspective

The metrics suite for object-oriented design put forward by Chidamber and Kemerer (1994) is partly evaluated by applying principles of measurement theory. Using the object coupling measure (CBO) as an example, it is shown that failing to establish a sound empirical relation system can lead to deficiencies of software metrics. Similarly, for the object-oriented cohesion measure (LCOM) it is pointed out that the issue of empirically testing the representation condition must not be ignored, even if other validation principles are carefully obeyed. As a by-product, an alternative formulation for LCOM is proposed     

High dynamic range temperature point sensor using greenfluorescence intensity ratio in erbium-doped silica fiber

We propose a sensor based on the temperature dependant behavior of the two lines of green emission of the erbium ion. The ratio of the intensities of these two lines presents a very low dependance on pump wavelength and pump power fluctuations. The sensitivity of the ratio is 0.013/°C between room temperature and 600°C. In addition, the measurement is self-calibrated     

Penetration of electromagnetic fields through an elliptical hole ina wall of finite thickness

The penetration of electromagnetic fields through an elliptical hole of variable eccentricity in a wall of finite thickness is analyzed. Six cases are considered: p≈0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1, where p=(a-b)/(a+b), a and b being semimajor and semiminor axes of the ellipse. Polarizabilities and susceptibilities are calculated. Results for zero-thickness wall are compared to known analytical expressions     

Designing the MPC105 PCI bridge/memory controller

The MPC105 peripheral component interconnection bridge/memory controller provides a platform-specification-compliant bridge between Power PC microprocessors and the PCI bus. With it, designers can create systems using peripherals already designed for a variety of standard PC interfaces. This bridge chip also integrates a secondary cache controller and high-performance memory controller that supports DRAM or synchronous DRAM and ROM or flash ROM     

The current and future role of the Internet in patient education

The Internet technology known as the World Wide Web is rapidly emerging as the most powerful medium of mass communication this century and it can be harnessed to dispense global, cost-effective, high-quality, multimedia patient education material. This paper reviews how the Internet has progressed from delivering simple static, text-based material to sophisticated interactive Web sites based on CGI Technology. Interactive Web sites can be used to deliver health assessment questionnaires and Web-based decision-support systems can give patients advice on the emergency management of acute medical problems. The advantages and drawbacks of this new technology, including information regulation and quality are discussed. The role of the Hospital Intranet as a patient education resource is described. The paper concludes by illustrating how patients can appreciate the 3-D structure of bones and organs using virtual reality in a VRML Web environment.     

Receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatases: alike and yet so different

Reversible phosphorylation on tyrosine residues is an extremely rapid and powerful posttranslational modification that is used in signalling pathways for the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. Over the past several years an impressive number of receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatase (RPTPase) family members have been identified by molecular cloning, and undoubtedly many more will follow. This review provides an overview of the molecular data that are available for the currently identified RPTPases and discusses their possible biological implications.     

A kinetic model for the combustion of carbon in a porous medium

A model is proposed for infiltration combustion, which incorporates the reaction kinetics more fully. Calculations have been performed on a multicomponent system with complicated kinetics, which show that the kinetic parameters have a marked effect on the basic working ones. It has been shown by varying the water-air ratio for wet combustion that the completeness of the conversion of the fuel increases with the initial water concentration, and that the speed of the combustion front and the combustion temperature increase.Chernogolovka. Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 29, No. 3, pp. 136–139, May–June, 1993.     

DSM-IV field trials for oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder in children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the field trials for oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder was to select valid diagnostic thresholds for these disorders and to compare the psychometric properties of DSM-IV criteria for oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder with previous DSM diagnostic formulations. METHOD: Structured diagnostic interviews, standardized clinician's validation diagnoses, and multiple measures of impairment were obtained for 440 clinic-referred children and adolescents aged 4-17 years. RESULTS: A diagnostic threshold of four symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder optimized identification of impaired children, improved agreement somewhat with the clinician's validation diagnosis, and had somewhat better test-retest agreement than DSM-III-R. In the case of conduct disorder, the optimal time window for ascertainment of symptoms was clarified. A diagnostic threshold of three symptoms of conduct disorder maximized accurate identification of impaired children and agreement with the clinician's validation diagnosis and resulted in slightly better test-retest agreement than DSM-III-R. Compared with the DSM-III-R definition, the DSM-IV definition of oppositional defiant disorder was somewhat more prevalent, but the prevalence of conduct disorder was essentially unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: DSM-IV definitions of oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder are somewhat better than DSM-III-R definitions in terms of internal consistency and test-retest agreement, and the validity of the DSM-IV definition of oppositional defiant disorder is slightly better than that of DSM-III-R.     

Field experience with momentary fast turbine valving and otherspecial stability controls employed at AEP's Rockport plant

Several special stability controls, including fast turbine valving are in service at AEP's Rockport generating plant to enhance the plant's transient and voltage stability performance. An account of how these supplementary controls evolved over time to meet changing system needs is provided. An overview of field tests, maintenance practices and operating history of the fast turbine valving equipment is presented. Finally, one of the successful Rockport fast valving events is analyzed in detail, with respect to valve stroke characteristics and electrical response of the Rockport units. This paper emphasizes the lessons learned from the operating experience, which include a need to constantly monitor the adequacy of the special stability control equipment, through regular maintenance and analysis of actual operations